Brooke Burns pays tribute to her late ex-husband, Julian McMahon, as the world mourns the loss of the beloved actor. News broke on July 2 that the charismatic Charmed star had passed away peacefully in his Florida home, following a courageous battle with cancer fought in private. Responding to this heart-wrenching news, Brooke, who was married to Julian from 1999 to 2001 and shares a 25-year-old daughter, Madison, with him, took to social media to express her sorrow.
On July 4, Brooke posted an old picture of Julian and Madison on Instagram, captioning it with a poignant "Rest in peace," accompanied solely by a broken heart emoji. Her heartfelt tribute came shortly after Julian's wife, Kelly McMahon, whom he married in 2014, confirmed his passing at the age of 56 in an emotional statement.
"With an open heart," Kelly shared with NBC News on July 4, "I wish to inform the world that my cherished husband, Julian McMahon, passed away peacefully this week, after a valiant struggle to overcome cancer." She continued, "He adored his family, his friends, his work, and his fans. His deepest desire was to spread joy into as many lives as he possibly could."
Julian's former costars and friends wasted no time in showering him with praise, celebrating the remarkable and joyful man he truly was. Alyssa Milano, who portrayed Julian's on-screen wife in Charmed, shared several photos of them together on Instagram on July 4, writing, "I'm heartbroken. Julian McMahon was magic. That smile, that laugh, that talent, that presence—he entered a room and illuminated it not just with charisma but with kindness, mischief, and soulful understanding."
Holly Marie Combs, another Charmed costar who starred alongside Julian, couldn't help but reflect on his potential reunion with their late colleague Shannen Doherty, who succumbed to cancer last year. Sharing a slideshow of photos from their time on the fantasy drama on Instagram Reels, she wrote, "One of a kind barely scratches the surface. Your unwavering zest for life and infectious sense of humor will be sorely missed. The joy and laughter you brought into our lives will forever be etched in our memories. I hope you find our lady friend and dance amidst those rose petals."
Ioan Gruffudd, who appeared alongside Julian in the 2005 film Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, also joined in the remembrances, cherishing the wonderful times he shared with his costar on set. "Even though we portrayed nemeses, working together was always filled with lightheartedness and laughter," he posted on Instagram on July 4. "Every encounter with him was a delight. It was an honor to play Dr. Richards opposite his Dr. Doom."
